BY ANDREA HOUSTON – Some of Barbara Walters’ questions to Jenna Talackova may be cringe-worthy in last night’s episode of 20/20, but none compare to the paranoid and offensive theory by Donald Trump revealed at the end, that Talackova has an “ulterior motive” for entering the Miss Universe pageant.
Trump says she entered the pageant because the first letters of her name spell “JENNATAL.” Wait, what?
(Trump has already appeared on TMZ boasting about the size of his own genitalia.)
Talackova’s lawyer responds by saying, “With all due respect to Mr. Trump, he really needs to stop being focused on genitals. His, or anyone else’s. This world does not revolve around his penis or anyone else’s genitalia. Whether a person is a woman is not simply defined by her genitalia.”
The rest of the interview was quite fascinating, especially hearing Talackova speak confidently and candidly about her transition experience.
Walters says the story “raises fundamental questions. What is a woman? Do you have to be born female to be female?” She begins with, “You were born a boy?”
“My name was Walter,” Jenna says, flashing a smile.
Walters: I’m going to have to ask you some tough questions.
I will now refer to the Trans Pride Canada media reference guide, released April 6.
The style guide says: “One’s surgical status should only be referred to (in the extremely rare cases) when it is absolutely required in the context of the article. Casual discussion of one’s genitalia is not appropriate for anyone of any gender.”
Walters: “Part of the sex surgery is the skin of of the penis is used to make a vagina? Is that correct”
Talackova answers with grace. “That’s correct… It was terribly painful, but seeing something on your body for that long and not being able to look at myself in the mirror because I couldn’t stand seeing the other part. [Getting the surgery] was actually very rewarding.”
Talackova maintains composure when Walters asks what she would look like naked. Her mother, who is at her side through the interview, says, “she has a vagina, and she looks like a woman.”
Then, a montage of mainstream media coverage of Talackova shows how she has been portrayed. At the 6:24 mark, one host is quoted saying , “Jenna Talackova is a dude!” Please send this person a copy of the Trans Pride Canada style guide immediately.
ANALYSIS: Beauty queen saga highlights need for trans bill: MP
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